With the 24th Selection in the 2012 NFL Draft...The Steelers Trade Up
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/2/14/2797123/2012-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-david-decastro-trade-up-scenarios
by Neal Coolong on Feb 14, 2012 8:44 AM EST

You don't need to be Jimmy Johnson, dangling Herschel Walker in front of a naive Vikings organization to enact the concept of duplicity in the 2012 NFL Draft.

You simply need to be in the right spot, just as someone else's right player becomes available. By handing in a few extra picks, a team can move up to grab a player they feel they need moreso than the other players available.

It could go up, and it could go down. The "up" this year, as far as Pittsburgh is concerned, centers around Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro. The question isn't the talent or the need, it's the price.

A smart and mobile guard, DeCastro would start from Day 1, filling arguably the Steelers' biggest position of need. The question in regards to trading up isn't usually about the talent of the player a team would draft, but rather, what they'll need to give up to get him.

In the Steelers' case for DeCastro, he may simply be out of reach. It's a strong team, top to bottom, but there are some obvious holes, ones that need to get plugged quickly. While a good portion of SteelerNation suggests the need to draft 2012 starters in the top three rounds of the draft, such skill and efficiency in personnel evaluation is extremely difficult to obtain. A team starting three rookies drafted in the first three rounds is typically not coming off a 12-4 season, but rather, heading toward a 6-10 season.

Using that logic, if DeCastro is truly a second coming of Steve Hutchinson, locking up that kind of player can be worth a few less picks in this draft.

The problem is, the Steelers aren't the only ones likely to see DeCastro as a very positive addition to their team. There isn't a franchise that wouldn't benefit from the addition of the 6-foot-4, light-footed and highly intelligent interior offensive lineman. Because of that, DeCastro could become to become the highest drafted guard since Chris Naeoli went 10th overall to New Orleans in 1997.

Taking a guard between picks 15-19 has been sort of en vogue the last four years. In 2008, the Chiefs took Branden Albert No. 15 overall (he was a guard at the University of Virginia but has played left tackle for the Chiefs). Mike Iupati went 17th overall to San Francisco in 2010 and Miami selected Mike Pouncey (plays center for the Dolphins) 15th overall in 2011.

It's hard to see Kansas City passing on DeCastro at 11 or 12. The Chiefs and Seattle are subject to a coin flip at the Combine Feb. 22 for the rights to the 11th pick.

Going off Jimmy Johnson's Trade Chart (the concept, if not the exact numbers, are what teams use to weigh trading decisions) suggests jumping ahead to No. 12 from No. 24 would cost the Steelers their first, second and fourth round picks in this year's draft. It would probably have to be a first, second and third to move to the 11th spot.

Or, a bit more than the Steelers gave up to leap from 27 to 16 (first, third and sixth) to draft USC SS Troy Polamalu in 2003.

Incidentally, that trade was with Kansas City.

It may just simply be that DeCastro is out of reach. However, Kansas City has other needs (tackle), but DeCastro is a better prospect than any tackle who is likely to still be on the board at 11.

Considering no guard has gone as high as 11 in quite some time, it's possible he may fall, and the Steelers should consider trading up if it doesn't mean mortgaging this draft for his services.

ricardisimo

02-15-2012, 01:30 AM

If he drops to the Cowboys or Philly, we should consider it, because he won't make it past the Jets or Cincy.

Kingmagyar

02-15-2012, 05:36 PM

Trading up to 15th would be costly. I'd do it for a 3 and 6 but it may be a 2nd round pick which would spoil us getting a 2nd really good player to help on the lines. If he gets by the Jets and Cincy somehow then a trade would be more doable with Chicago or San Diego at 18 or 19.

Bayz101

02-15-2012, 06:11 PM

When's the last time we traded up?

I just don't see it happening.

ricardisimo

02-15-2012, 06:14 PM

We traded up for both Troy and Heath. I'd say both paid off nicely.

Bayz101

02-15-2012, 06:41 PM

We traded up for both Troy and Heath. I'd say both paid off nicely.

:doh:

I remembered we traded up for Troy, but didn't know we did the same with heath. Didn't watch that draft.

Fire Arians

02-15-2012, 06:45 PM

wouldn't be against it if we can snag decastro. we do have pressing needs at multiple positions though. because of that, i don't see trading up happening.

i mean, we don't just need 1 guard, we need 2 because both of our starting ones aren't what you necessarily call starter quality

fujirama24

02-15-2012, 08:33 PM

We traded up for both Troy and Heath. I'd say both paid off nicely.

We didn't trade up for heath we got him at pick 29 he fell to us because of conserns with his hammy. As for us trading up I don't think it will be a problem when the bears sign Mike Wallace and we get there first round pick in return pick #19. Just saying.

tburhans

02-15-2012, 08:45 PM

Heath didn't have a hammy issue he had a hernia which he had surgery for. Same thing barron is going through. We traded up for troy and santonio both of which were good trades. A future hall of famer in troy and a super bowl mvp in holmes so id say we have done pretty good when we have traded up

fujirama24

02-15-2012, 08:59 PM

Heath didn't have a hammy issue he had a hernia which he had surgery for. Same thing barron is going through. We traded up for troy and santonio both of which were good trades. A future hall of famer in troy and a super bowl mvp in holmes so id say we have done pretty good when we have traded up

Your right my bad I knew it was something that started with an H LOL. Sorry about that.

Bayz101

02-15-2012, 09:19 PM

I knew we didn't trade up for Heath.

fujirama24

02-15-2012, 11:57 PM

I could see us trading down more this year than up. We have too many needs. If all the good OL are gone then trade down and take a NT or a ILB. Get more picks and possible trade up to get a better OLMan in the second. Then take either a ILB in the 3rd or a Wr depending on what happens with Wallace.

MasterOfPuppets

02-16-2012, 04:14 PM

no way in hell would they give away half the draft for a guard no matter how good he's supposed to be. in fact i'd target wisconsin center peter konz and move him to guard. given pouncey's tendencies for injuries , why not upgrade at guard and backup center at the same time ? they may have to leap ahead of detroit to get him, but thats a much better option than moving up 10 spots.

ricardisimo

02-19-2012, 06:08 AM

Heath didn't have a hammy issue he had a hernia which he had surgery for. Same thing barron is going through. We traded up for troy and santonio both of which were good trades. A future hall of famer in troy and a super bowl mvp in holmes so id say we have done pretty good when we have traded up
That's right, it was Santonio. My bad. Well, given the Super Bowl MVP and the game-winning catch, I'd say that worked out pretty well also. The main point stands, even if I can't keep the names straight. :dizzy:

BKAnthem

02-19-2012, 10:00 AM

no way in hell would they give away half the draft for a guard no matter how good he's supposed to be. in fact i'd target wisconsin center peter konz and move him to guard. given pouncey's tendencies for injuries , why not upgrade at guard and backup center at the same time ? they may have to leap ahead of detroit to get him, but thats a much better option than moving up 10 spots.

I would like to see them get Mike Adams and Konz if they could...

FrancoLambert

02-23-2012, 03:42 PM

wouldn't be against it if we can snag decastro. we do have pressing needs at multiple positions though. because of that, i don't see trading up happening.

i mean, we don't just need 1 guard, we need 2 because both of our starting ones aren't what you necessarily call starter quality

:applaudit: :hatsoff:

AMEN TO THAT !!

El-Gonzo Jackson

02-23-2012, 10:08 PM

I would like to see them get Mike Adams and Konz if they could...

Adams scares me. Inconsistent and at times soft. Reminds me of Chris Williams from Vanderbilt that the Bears drafted #14 overall in 2008.

I think the Steelers have too many aging players to trade up. Other scenario might be trade down and get an extra pick. Maybe the Redskins want to trade to the bottom of the 1st and get Tannehill or Weeden as a QB?? We can still get Ta'aamu at NT and still get an O lineman like Osemele, Zeitler or Schwartz......plus an extra 4th round pick.